US8111010B2 - Dimmable operating device having internal dimming characteristic - Google Patents

Dimmable operating device having internal dimming characteristic Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US8111010B2
US8111010B2 US12/305,539 US30553907A US8111010B2 US 8111010 B2 US8111010 B2 US 8111010B2 US 30553907 A US30553907 A US 30553907A US 8111010 B2 US8111010 B2 US 8111010B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
operating device
dimming
values
dimming values
internal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US12/305,539
Other versions
US20090167207A1 (en
Inventor
Michael Zimmermann
Martin Hartmann
Andreas John
Falk Richter
Mathias Duenser
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tridonicatco GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Tridonicatco GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=37607150&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=US8111010(B2) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Tridonicatco GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Tridonicatco GmbH and Co KG
Assigned to TRIDONICATCO GMBH & CO. KG reassignment TRIDONICATCO GMBH & CO. KG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ANDREAS, JOHN, DUENSER, MATHIAS, HARTMANN, MARTIN, RICHTER, FALK, ZIMMERMANN, MICHAEL
Publication of US20090167207A1 publication Critical patent/US20090167207A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US8111010B2 publication Critical patent/US8111010B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/10—Controlling the intensity of the light
    • H05B45/14—Controlling the intensity of the light using electrical feedback from LEDs or from LED modules
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/10—Controlling the intensity of the light
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/175—Controlling the light source by remote control
    • H05B47/18—Controlling the light source by remote control via data-bus transmission
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/10—Controlling the intensity of the light
    • H05B45/12—Controlling the intensity of the light using optical feedback

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a dimmable operating device for lighting devices, which can be, for example, light-emitting diodes or gas discharge lamps.
  • a bus system for example standardized by the DALI or DSI standard, by which inter alia external dimming values can be transmitted.
  • the control devices required for controlling the individual lighting devices convert these values internally, for example with the aid of conversion tables, into dimming values that represent the actual stages of the brightness control of the connected lighting means, and that represent control values of possibly higher resolution (e.g. 16-bit quantized control values) than the external dimming values.
  • An operating device having a constant-current source as driver circuit for controlling an LED module comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes is disclosed in DE 20 2004 006 292 U1.
  • the driver circuit in that case is connected to the LED module via a total of three channels, of which two channels serve to supply voltage to the LED module with a voltage supply that is pulse-width-modulated in the dimming mode, and a third channel (“module identification channel”), realized as a digital interface, is used for the unidirectional or bidirectional transmission of digital operating parameters and/or calibration data between LED module and driver circuit, so that the driver circuit can set itself to these parameters and/or data.
  • module identification channel realized as a digital interface
  • EP 1 135 005 A2 Described in EP 1 135 005 A2 is a circuit, controllable via a digital data interface, for controlling light sources of a lighting installation, which circuit has appropriate means for generating a control signal that is dependent on a predefinable setpoint value, for the purpose of controlling the brightness of the light sources, and has means for adapting the control signal to differing types of light source.
  • control gear Disclosed in DE 203 12 298 U1 is an electronic control gear for operating a gas discharge lamp, which control gear comprises a memory device in which there are stored operating parameters that can be called up by a control device.
  • the present invention is devoted to proposing a flexible design of a dimmable operating device for lighting devices.
  • the invention provides an operating device for a lighting device, the operating device having an interface via which external dimming values can be supplied to the operating device, the operating device converting these supplied external dimming values internal dimming values, on the basis of which controlling of the connected lighting device is effected, the internal dimming values being of a higher resolution than the external dimming values, and the operating device being designed in such a way that the conversion of the external dimming values into the internal dimming values is programmable.
  • the invention also provides a method for compensating tolerances of light-emitting diodes controlled by an operating device, the operating device being supplied with external dimming values, the method comprising programming this conversion of the external dimming values into the internal dimming values.
  • the invention further provides a method for configuring an operating device for a lighting means device that is supplied with external dimming values, the supplied external dimming values being converted into internal dimming values, on the basis of which controlling of the connected lighting device is effected, the internal dimming values being of a higher resolution than the external dimming values, the method further comprising programming this conversion of the external dimming values into the internal dimming values.
  • the inventive operating device for a lighting device has an interface via which external dimming values can be supplied to the operating device.
  • the operating device converts these supplied external dimming values into internal dimming values, on the basis of which controlling of the connected lighting means is effected.
  • the internal dimming values are of a resolution that is at least as high as, and optionally higher than, the external dimming values.
  • the operating device is designed so that the conversion of the external dimming values into the internal dimming values is programmable.
  • the operating device can also be designed, in particular, so that the aforementioned conversion is programmable in respect of its dynamics. Provision can be made in this case whereby it is possible to program by which time characteristic response (linear, logarithmic or exponential variation with time, etc.) an internal dimming value, assigned to an external dimming value, is achieved.
  • the assignment (“mapping”) of an internal dimming value, to be controlled in the stationary state, to an external dimming value can also be programmable.
  • the resolution of the internal dimming values need not be higher than that of the external dimming values.
  • the lighting device can be, for example, an individual light-emitting diode or an LED module comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes, the stationary assignment of an internal dimming value to an external dimming value compensating production tolerances of the light-emitting diode(s).
  • the operating device can have a flash memory, in which the programmable conversion of the external dimming values into internal dimming values is stored.
  • a maximum dimming value limitation below 100% can be selectively defined, which limitation can be selectively switched on and/or cancelled externally through a command.
  • the internal dimming values can be apportioned to the range between 0% and the dimming value limitation, so that a maximum resolution of the dimming values prevails in this range.
  • the operating device can have a plurality of outputs for controlling lighting devices, the internal dimming characteristics being individually programmable for each of these outputs.
  • the outputs in this case can control lighting devices, for example LEDs, of differing color.
  • the present invention also relates to a method for compensating manufacturer-specific tolerances of light-emitting diodes controlled by an operating device that is supplied with external dimming values.
  • the method in this case comprises programming the aforementioned conversion of dimming values.
  • the invention further relates to a method for configuring an operating device for lighting devices that is supplied with external dimming values, the supplied external dimming values being converted into internal dimming values, on the basis of which controlling of the connected lighting means is effected.
  • the internal dimming values in this case are of a higher resolution than the external dimming values. Following measurement of the light characteristic of the lighting means, the latter is recalibrated through subsequent programming of a conversion of the external dimming values into internal dimming values.
  • the conversion in this case can be programmed in respect of its dynamics, i.e. it is possible to program by which time characteristic response an internal dimming value, assigned to an external dimming value, is achieved.
  • the invention can make provision for providing the operating device, via a bus system, with the aid of a communication protocol based on the DALI standard, with value assignment tables for converting external dimming values into internal dimming values, in order optimally to trim the control device to the lighting device, or individually to adapt the form of the dimming characteristic.
  • This method makes it possible, in particular, for manufacturers of LED modules to take account of and compensate device-specific tolerances of differing LED modules in the case of a calibration of the dimming characteristic to a new LED module, there being thereby provided a simple and inexpensive possibility for supplying LED modules having a uniform dimming behavior.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a dimming circuit comprising a dimmable operating device according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 a shows a schematic diagram of a lighting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, comprising a control device and an LED module that is controlled via an operating device, which control device and LED module are connected to a bus line that serves to transmit operating parameters and programming data between the control device and the operating device, and
  • FIG. 2 b shows a variant of the lighting system shown schematically in FIG. 2 a , comprising a brightness feedback-control circuit for automatically setting a dimming level that is predefinable via a setpoint value.
  • FIG. 1 Shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a dimming circuit comprising a dimmable operating device BG according to the present invention, which operating device serves to control a lighting device LM with a power adjustment variable StG′, via a power adjustment element TB, termed “controller”.
  • the lighting device in this case can be, for example, a gas discharge lamp, an LED or an LED module consisting of an array of a plurality of light-emitting diodes LED 1 to LED N connected to one another in series, individually or group-wise in parallel.
  • the invention can be used in combination with any dimmable lighting device.
  • the power adjustment element TB to which a control signal, required for dimming the lighting device LM, can be supplied via a control input that is connected to the operating device BG, can comprise, for example, a phase-angle control dimmer, a regulable constant-current source, a settable supply voltage, an inverter having a settable clock frequency f T , or a pulse-width modulator PWM, via which the pulse duty factor d of a periodic square-wave current, generated by the operating device BG and supplied, in the form of a pulse-width-modulated control signal, to the light LM, is varied.
  • the power adjustment variable StG′ it is thus also possible to use, apart from the pulse duty factor d of a pulse-width-modulated control signal, the frequency f LM of an alternating current required for operating the lighting device LM, the current intensity of an alternating or direct current I LM serving to supply the lighting device LM, or the voltage level U LM of a supply voltage serving to supply energy to the lighting device LM.
  • the operating device BG represented in FIG. 1 in this case has an interface via which an external reference variable FG (termed “external dimming values” in FIG. 1 ), required for dimming the lighting device LM, can be supplied to the operating device BG.
  • These external dimming values are converted, via a data converter LMK in the operating device BG, into internal dimming values of a control variable StG, on the basis of which the controlling of the power adjustment element TB is effected.
  • the operating device BG in this case makes use, for example, of a value assignment table (termed “comparison table” in FIG. 1 ) stored in a memory unit of the data converter LMK, from which table previously stored linearly, logarithmically, exponentially or otherwise interpolated intermediate values of a dimming characteristic, required for dimming the lighting device LM, can be taken.
  • the value range of these support values in this case is limited, for example, by two straight lines extending in parallel to the time axis of a dimming-level time diagram, the lower limit of the value range being constituted by the current actual value of a preset dimming level, and the upper limit of the value range being predefinable through a programming signal PS supplied to the data converter LMK (or vice versa).
  • the data converter calculates, in relation to the aforementioned support values, interpolated intermediate values for the variation with time of the dimming characteristic, and uses the thereby obtained values to control the power adjustment element TB.
  • the programming signal be transmitted separately to a bus interface and/or via the same bus interface via which, following completion of programming, the external dimming values are then transmitted to the operating device.
  • the circuit described above can further have an optional feedback line 1 , via which at least one power parameter of the lighting means LM, representing the power of the lighting means, is supplied, as a controlled variable RG, to the operating device BG, and have a further optional feedback line 2 , via which the power adjustment variable StG′ is supplied to the operating device BG,
  • the operating device BG via the power adjustment element TB, sets the aforementioned power adjustment variable StG′ in dependence on the controlled variable RG, constituted by the acquired power parameter, and the reference variable FG, which can be applied to the operating device BG, for the radiant power to be produced by the lighting means LM in dimming mode, which radiant power is expressed by the setpoint value ⁇ LM, setpoint of the light current ⁇ LM to be emitted by the lighting device LM in dimming mode.
  • an appropriate power adjustment variable StG′ is generated, by which the aforementioned control deviation is at least approximately compensated.
  • FIG. 2 a Represented in FIG. 2 a is a schematic diagram of a lighting system comprising a control device StE and a lighting device that is controlled via an operating device BG, which lighting device can be, for example, a gas discharge lamp or, as shown schematically in FIG. 2 a , an LED module.
  • the control device StE and the operating device BG are connected, via digital interfaces IF 1 and IF 2 , to a bus line BL, which serves to transmit operating parameters, and possibly also programming data, between the control device StE and the operating device BG.
  • the voltage supply to the LED module is effected via the operating device BG, which is connected to a voltage supply U e .
  • a DC voltage, provided via a storage capacitor C and applied, as a bus voltage U Bus , to the bus line BL via an output DC_OUT of the operating device BG, can serve as a supply voltage to the LED module.
  • the control device StE comprises, in addition to an input DC_IN that serves to supply voltage with U Bus , a programming data output PROG_OUT, via which a programming signal U Prog , which is used for setting a dimming level that is predefinable by the user, or for selection of a particular dimming characteristic response (e.g., linear, logarithmic, exponential, etc.), can be transmitted, in digitized form, via the digital bus interface IF 2 of the control device StE.
  • a programming signal U Prog which is used for setting a dimming level that is predefinable by the user, or for selection of a particular dimming characteristic response (e.g., linear, logarithmic, exponential, etc.
  • the programming signal U Prog is supplied to the operating device BG via a control signal input PROG_IN, and routed to a data converter, termed “LED converter”.
  • LED converter calculates, in relation to a number of stored support values, interpolated intermediate values for the variation with time of a dimming characteristic required for dimming the LEDs, and uses the thereby obtained values to control a pulse-width modulator PWM integrated into the operating device BG, via which pulse-width modulator the pulse duty factor d of a periodic square-wave current, generated by the operating device BG and supplied, in the form of a pulse-width-modulated control signal U PWM , to the LED driver circuit, is varied.
  • the dimming characteristic in this case runs within a value range delimited by two straight lines running in parallel to the time axis of a dimming-level time diagram, the lower limit of which value range is constituted by the current actual value of a preset dimming level, and the upper limit of which is predefinable through the programming signal U Prog (or vice versa).
  • the interpolated intermediate values can also be taken from a value assignment table, for example stored in a read-only memory of the LED converter, which table assigns, as predefined by the user, previously calculated linearly, logarithmically, exponentially or otherwise interpolated intermediate values to the support points present within the value range.
  • a value assignment table for example stored in a read-only memory of the LED converter, which table assigns, as predefined by the user, previously calculated linearly, logarithmically, exponentially or otherwise interpolated intermediate values to the support points present within the value range.
  • FIG. 2 b Represented in FIG. 2 b is a circuit variant of the lighting system shown schematically in FIG. 2 a , comprising a brightness feedback-control circuit LRK for automatically setting a dimming level that is predefinable via the output voltage U setpoint of a setpoint source SWG.
  • the controlled system of this brightness feedback-control circuit LRK is constituted in this case by the operating device BG, which is described with reference to FIG. 2 a and which is connected to the bus line BL via the digital bus interface IF 1 , and by a lighting device, which is controlled via the operating device BG and which again is, for example, a gas discharge lamp or, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 b , an LED module composed of an array of a plurality of light-emitting diodes LED 1 to LED N that are connected to each other in series, which module is controlled via an LED driver circuit connected to the output of the operating device BG.
  • an adjustment variable U Prog which is supplied by a programming data output PROG_OUT of a digital feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE connected to the bus line BL via a digital bus interface IF 2 (e.g.
  • a DALI interface is applied, in digitized form, to a data transmission channel of the bus line BL via the digital bus interface IF 2 of the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE, and is then transmitted to the digital bus interface IF 1 of the operating device BG, to the programming data input PROG_IN of the latter.
  • a measurement value represented by a controlled variable U Reg which is, for example, the current actual value of the illuminance E on a usable surface A illuminated by the light-emitting diodes LED 1 to LED N of the LED module or a sub-group of these light-emitting diodes, which illuminance is caused by the incident luminous flux ⁇ LM and is sensed by a light-sensitive detector of a light sensor module LSM that is likewise connected to the bus line BL via a further digital bus interface IF 3 (e.g. a DALI interface).
  • a further digital bus interface IF 3 e.g. a DALI interface
  • Functioning as a light sensor in this case is, for example, a phototransistor T Ph , the collector current (photoelectric current) of which is proportional to the illuminance E, caused by the emitted light radiation of the LEDs, on the aforementioned usable surface A, and is thus a measure of the brightness of this radiation.
  • a phototransistor T Ph the collector current (photoelectric current) of which is proportional to the illuminance E, caused by the emitted light radiation of the LEDs, on the aforementioned usable surface A, and is thus a measure of the brightness of this radiation.
  • the voltage supply to the light sensor module LSM in this case is effected via the intermediate circuit voltage U v of the operating device BG, which intermediate circuit voltage serves as bus voltage U Bus and is supplied to the two first-mentioned system components, in each case via a bus voltage input denoted as “DC_IN”.
  • the output signal U Reg of the light sensor module LSM which signal is, for example, a voltage that is proportional to the photoelectric current and amplified to a defined output level by a measuring amplifier, is routed to the digital bus interface IF 3 of the light sensor module LSM via a sensor data output DATA_OUT and is transmitted, in digitized form, via the bus line BL and the digital bus interface IF 2 of the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE, to the sensor data input DATA_IN of the latter.
  • the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE sets the above-mentioned adjustment variable U Prog in dependence on the controlled variable U Reg , present at the aforementioned sensor data input DATA_IN, and the reference variable U setpoint (setpoint value) for the radiant power to be produced by the LED module in dimming mode, which radiant power is expressed by the setpoint value ⁇ LM, setpoint of the light current ⁇ LM to be emitted by the lighting device LM in dimming mode, and which reference variable is settable with the aid of the setpoint source SWG, via a trimming resistance R v or a potentiometer, and is predefinable via a further data input of the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE.
  • an appropriate adjustment variable U Prog is generated, by which the aforementioned control deviation is at least approximately compensated.
  • a dimming characteristic response e.g. linear, logarithmic, exponential, etc.
  • the control signal required for this purpose is applied in digitized form, via the digital bus interface IF 2 of the control device StE, to a further data transmission channel of the bus line BL.
  • the control signal is supplied to the operating device BG via the aforementioned programming signal input PROG_IN, and routed to the LED converter.
  • the latter calculates, in relation to the support values stored in the flash EEPROM of the operating device BG, interpolated intermediate values for the variation with time of a dimming characteristic required for dimming the LEDs, and uses the thereby obtained values to control a pulse-width modulator PWM integrated into the operating device BG, via which pulse-width modulator the pulse duty factor d of a periodic square-wave current, generated by the operating device BG and supplied, in the form of a pulse-width-modulated control signal U PWM , to the LED driver circuit, is varied.
  • the dimming characteristic in this case runs within a value range delimited by two straight lines running in parallel to the time axis, the lower limit of which value range is constituted by the current actual value of a preset dimming level, and the upper limit of which is predefinable through the reference variable U setpoint (or vice versa).
  • the interpolated intermediate values can also be taken from a value assignment table, for example stored in a read-only memory of the LED converter, which table assigns, as predefined by the user, previously calculated linearly, logarithmically, exponentially or otherwise interpolated intermediate values to the support points present within the value range.
  • the present invention is not limited to lighting systems whose system components are connected via a DALI interface to a channel of a bus line serving to supply voltage, but that, according to the invention, any other bus interface suitable for the transmission of digital control signals can be used for this purpose.
  • the free programmability of the internal dimming characteristic can be used in such a way that the latter is tuned to the color-specific sensitivity of the human eye. This is particularly important if LEDs of differing color are controlled in independent channels of an operating device or by a plurality of operating devices, since the human eye perceives the differing color (for example, red, green, blue) differently.
  • the internal dimming characteristic can thus be programmed individually, and thus differently, for controlling LEDs (or other colored lighting means) of differing color.
  • this can be effected by an operating device having three independent outputs, for example an RGB color mixing module for LEDs or fluorescent lamps.
  • an RGB color mixing module for LEDs or fluorescent lamps.
  • the assignment of the colors and the individual adaptation of the internal dimming characteristic for each color can then be first effected in the light fitting, during installation.
  • an artificial maximum value for a power parameter or combination of power parameters can be set, for example through an external command, for example via a bus line.
  • This limitation can then subsequently be externally cancelled and/or changed so that, for example, the actually available maximum power can subsequently be enabled again.
  • this artificial “throttling” can also be achieved through a manual setting on the control gear.
  • the internal dimming curve is can be adapted to the artificially limited maximum value: In order further to use internal dimming values that are distributed as finely as possible, with a maximum value limitation having been set, all internally available dimming values are distributed to the range between 0% dimming and the artificial maximum value.
  • a more simple embodiment can make provision to provide (program) previously in the device at least two channels for the mapping of the external dimming values to the internal dimming values, namely, for example, an apportioning between 0% and 100% and a further apportioning between 0% and the maximum value limitation.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device (BG) for lamps (LM), comprising an interface (IFi), by means of which the device (BG) may be provided with external dimming values. The device (BG) converts said provided external dimming values into internal dimming values on the basis of which the control of the connected lamps (LM) is achieved, the internal dimming values being of higher resolution than the external dimming values. According to the invention, the operating device (BG) is designed such that the conversion of the external dimming values into internal dimming values may be programmed. The operating device (BG) can particularly also be designed such that said conversion can be programmed with regard to the dynamics thereof. A programming can be provided by a time conversion relationship (linear, logarithmic or exponential time curve etc.) by means of which an internal dimming value corresponding to an external dimming value is reached.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dimmable operating device for lighting devices, which can be, for example, light-emitting diodes or gas discharge lamps.
2. Related Technology
For the purpose of issuing control commands to dimmable operating devices of a lighting installation, many of the currently employed lighting installations use a bus system, for example standardized by the DALI or DSI standard, by which inter alia external dimming values can be transmitted. The control devices required for controlling the individual lighting devices convert these values internally, for example with the aid of conversion tables, into dimming values that represent the actual stages of the brightness control of the connected lighting means, and that represent control values of possibly higher resolution (e.g. 16-bit quantized control values) than the external dimming values.
An operating device having a constant-current source as driver circuit for controlling an LED module comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes is disclosed in DE 20 2004 006 292 U1. The driver circuit in that case is connected to the LED module via a total of three channels, of which two channels serve to supply voltage to the LED module with a voltage supply that is pulse-width-modulated in the dimming mode, and a third channel (“module identification channel”), realized as a digital interface, is used for the unidirectional or bidirectional transmission of digital operating parameters and/or calibration data between LED module and driver circuit, so that the driver circuit can set itself to these parameters and/or data. This makes it possible for LED modules of differing types to be operated with the same driver circuit, under the same operating conditions.
Described in EP 1 135 005 A2 is a circuit, controllable via a digital data interface, for controlling light sources of a lighting installation, which circuit has appropriate means for generating a control signal that is dependent on a predefinable setpoint value, for the purpose of controlling the brightness of the light sources, and has means for adapting the control signal to differing types of light source.
Disclosed in DE 203 12 298 U1 is an electronic control gear for operating a gas discharge lamp, which control gear comprises a memory device in which there are stored operating parameters that can be called up by a control device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Proceeding from the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention is devoted to proposing a flexible design of a dimmable operating device for lighting devices.
Accordingly, the invention provides an operating device for a lighting device, the operating device having an interface via which external dimming values can be supplied to the operating device, the operating device converting these supplied external dimming values internal dimming values, on the basis of which controlling of the connected lighting device is effected, the internal dimming values being of a higher resolution than the external dimming values, and the operating device being designed in such a way that the conversion of the external dimming values into the internal dimming values is programmable.
The invention also provides a method for compensating tolerances of light-emitting diodes controlled by an operating device, the operating device being supplied with external dimming values, the method comprising programming this conversion of the external dimming values into the internal dimming values.
The invention further provides a method for configuring an operating device for a lighting means device that is supplied with external dimming values, the supplied external dimming values being converted into internal dimming values, on the basis of which controlling of the connected lighting device is effected, the internal dimming values being of a higher resolution than the external dimming values, the method further comprising programming this conversion of the external dimming values into the internal dimming values.
The inventive operating device for a lighting device has an interface via which external dimming values can be supplied to the operating device. The operating device converts these supplied external dimming values into internal dimming values, on the basis of which controlling of the connected lighting means is effected. In this case, the internal dimming values are of a resolution that is at least as high as, and optionally higher than, the external dimming values. The operating device is designed so that the conversion of the external dimming values into the internal dimming values is programmable.
The operating device can also be designed, in particular, so that the aforementioned conversion is programmable in respect of its dynamics. Provision can be made in this case whereby it is possible to program by which time characteristic response (linear, logarithmic or exponential variation with time, etc.) an internal dimming value, assigned to an external dimming value, is achieved.
According to the invention, the assignment (“mapping”) of an internal dimming value, to be controlled in the stationary state, to an external dimming value can also be programmable. In this case, the resolution of the internal dimming values need not be higher than that of the external dimming values.
The lighting device can be, for example, an individual light-emitting diode or an LED module comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes, the stationary assignment of an internal dimming value to an external dimming value compensating production tolerances of the light-emitting diode(s).
The operating device can have a flash memory, in which the programmable conversion of the external dimming values into internal dimming values is stored.
A maximum dimming value limitation below 100% can be selectively defined, which limitation can be selectively switched on and/or cancelled externally through a command.
The internal dimming values can be apportioned to the range between 0% and the dimming value limitation, so that a maximum resolution of the dimming values prevails in this range.
The operating device can have a plurality of outputs for controlling lighting devices, the internal dimming characteristics being individually programmable for each of these outputs. The outputs in this case can control lighting devices, for example LEDs, of differing color.
Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for compensating manufacturer-specific tolerances of light-emitting diodes controlled by an operating device that is supplied with external dimming values. According to the invention, the method in this case comprises programming the aforementioned conversion of dimming values.
The invention further relates to a method for configuring an operating device for lighting devices that is supplied with external dimming values, the supplied external dimming values being converted into internal dimming values, on the basis of which controlling of the connected lighting means is effected. The internal dimming values in this case are of a higher resolution than the external dimming values. Following measurement of the light characteristic of the lighting means, the latter is recalibrated through subsequent programming of a conversion of the external dimming values into internal dimming values.
The conversion in this case can be programmed in respect of its dynamics, i.e. it is possible to program by which time characteristic response an internal dimming value, assigned to an external dimming value, is achieved.
In particular, provision can be made, according to the invention, whereby the assignment of an internal dimming value, to be controlled in the stationary state, to an external dimming value is programmable.
The invention can make provision for providing the operating device, via a bus system, with the aid of a communication protocol based on the DALI standard, with value assignment tables for converting external dimming values into internal dimming values, in order optimally to trim the control device to the lighting device, or individually to adapt the form of the dimming characteristic. This method makes it possible, in particular, for manufacturers of LED modules to take account of and compensate device-specific tolerances of differing LED modules in the case of a calibration of the dimming characteristic to a new LED module, there being thereby provided a simple and inexpensive possibility for supplying LED modules having a uniform dimming behavior.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further characteristics, advantages and expediencies of the present invention are now explained, through a detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein
FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a dimming circuit comprising a dimmable operating device according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 a shows a schematic diagram of a lighting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, comprising a control device and an LED module that is controlled via an operating device, which control device and LED module are connected to a bus line that serves to transmit operating parameters and programming data between the control device and the operating device, and
FIG. 2 b shows a variant of the lighting system shown schematically in FIG. 2 a, comprising a brightness feedback-control circuit for automatically setting a dimming level that is predefinable via a setpoint value.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail in the following with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 b.
Shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a dimming circuit comprising a dimmable operating device BG according to the present invention, which operating device serves to control a lighting device LM with a power adjustment variable StG′, via a power adjustment element TB, termed “controller”. The lighting device in this case can be, for example, a gas discharge lamp, an LED or an LED module consisting of an array of a plurality of light-emitting diodes LED1 to LEDN connected to one another in series, individually or group-wise in parallel. In that, the invention can be used in combination with any dimmable lighting device.
The power adjustment element TB, to which a control signal, required for dimming the lighting device LM, can be supplied via a control input that is connected to the operating device BG, can comprise, for example, a phase-angle control dimmer, a regulable constant-current source, a settable supply voltage, an inverter having a settable clock frequency fT, or a pulse-width modulator PWM, via which the pulse duty factor d of a periodic square-wave current, generated by the operating device BG and supplied, in the form of a pulse-width-modulated control signal, to the light LM, is varied. As the power adjustment variable StG′ it is thus also possible to use, apart from the pulse duty factor d of a pulse-width-modulated control signal, the frequency fLM of an alternating current required for operating the lighting device LM, the current intensity of an alternating or direct current ILM serving to supply the lighting device LM, or the voltage level ULM of a supply voltage serving to supply energy to the lighting device LM.
The operating device BG represented in FIG. 1 in this case has an interface via which an external reference variable FG (termed “external dimming values” in FIG. 1), required for dimming the lighting device LM, can be supplied to the operating device BG. These external dimming values are converted, via a data converter LMK in the operating device BG, into internal dimming values of a control variable StG, on the basis of which the controlling of the power adjustment element TB is effected. The operating device BG in this case makes use, for example, of a value assignment table (termed “comparison table” in FIG. 1) stored in a memory unit of the data converter LMK, from which table previously stored linearly, logarithmically, exponentially or otherwise interpolated intermediate values of a dimming characteristic, required for dimming the lighting device LM, can be taken.
The value range of these support values in this case is limited, for example, by two straight lines extending in parallel to the time axis of a dimming-level time diagram, the lower limit of the value range being constituted by the current actual value of a preset dimming level, and the upper limit of the value range being predefinable through a programming signal PS supplied to the data converter LMK (or vice versa).
As an alternative thereto, provision can be made whereby the data converter calculates, in relation to the aforementioned support values, interpolated intermediate values for the variation with time of the dimming characteristic, and uses the thereby obtained values to control the power adjustment element TB. Provision is made in this case, according to the invention, whereby the support values stored in the non-volatile memory of the data converter LMK can be recalibrated via the aforementioned programming signal PS. The programming signal be transmitted separately to a bus interface and/or via the same bus interface via which, following completion of programming, the external dimming values are then transmitted to the operating device.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the circuit described above, as shown schematically in FIG. 1, can further have an optional feedback line 1, via which at least one power parameter of the lighting means LM, representing the power of the lighting means, is supplied, as a controlled variable RG, to the operating device BG, and have a further optional feedback line 2, via which the power adjustment variable StG′ is supplied to the operating device BG,
As is further shown by FIG. 1, in the case of this exemplary embodiment the operating device BG, via the power adjustment element TB, sets the aforementioned power adjustment variable StG′ in dependence on the controlled variable RG, constituted by the acquired power parameter, and the reference variable FG, which can be applied to the operating device BG, for the radiant power to be produced by the lighting means LM in dimming mode, which radiant power is expressed by the setpoint value φLM, setpoint of the light current φLM to be emitted by the lighting device LM in dimming mode. In the event of ascertainment of a control deviation between reference variable FG and controlled variable RG, in this case an appropriate power adjustment variable StG′ is generated, by which the aforementioned control deviation is at least approximately compensated.
Represented in FIG. 2 a is a schematic diagram of a lighting system comprising a control device StE and a lighting device that is controlled via an operating device BG, which lighting device can be, for example, a gas discharge lamp or, as shown schematically in FIG. 2 a, an LED module.
The control device StE and the operating device BG are connected, via digital interfaces IF1 and IF2, to a bus line BL, which serves to transmit operating parameters, and possibly also programming data, between the control device StE and the operating device BG. The voltage supply to the LED module is effected via the operating device BG, which is connected to a voltage supply Ue.
A DC voltage, provided via a storage capacitor C and applied, as a bus voltage UBus, to the bus line BL via an output DC_OUT of the operating device BG, can serve as a supply voltage to the LED module.
As shown schematically in FIG. 2 a, the control device StE comprises, in addition to an input DC_IN that serves to supply voltage with UBus, a programming data output PROG_OUT, via which a programming signal UProg, which is used for setting a dimming level that is predefinable by the user, or for selection of a particular dimming characteristic response (e.g., linear, logarithmic, exponential, etc.), can be transmitted, in digitized form, via the digital bus interface IF2 of the control device StE.
Following transmission via the bus line BL, the programming signal UProg is supplied to the operating device BG via a control signal input PROG_IN, and routed to a data converter, termed “LED converter”. The latter calculates, in relation to a number of stored support values, interpolated intermediate values for the variation with time of a dimming characteristic required for dimming the LEDs, and uses the thereby obtained values to control a pulse-width modulator PWM integrated into the operating device BG, via which pulse-width modulator the pulse duty factor d of a periodic square-wave current, generated by the operating device BG and supplied, in the form of a pulse-width-modulated control signal UPWM, to the LED driver circuit, is varied.
The dimming characteristic in this case runs within a value range delimited by two straight lines running in parallel to the time axis of a dimming-level time diagram, the lower limit of which value range is constituted by the current actual value of a preset dimming level, and the upper limit of which is predefinable through the programming signal UProg (or vice versa).
As an alternative to the aforementioned calculation, the interpolated intermediate values can also be taken from a value assignment table, for example stored in a read-only memory of the LED converter, which table assigns, as predefined by the user, previously calculated linearly, logarithmically, exponentially or otherwise interpolated intermediate values to the support points present within the value range.
Provision can be made in this case whereby the support values stored in the flash EEPROM can be recalibrated via the aforementioned programming signal UProg, for example in order to minimize or to compensate manufacturer-specific tolerances of the light-emitting diodes LED1 to LEDN of the LED module that are controlled by the LED driver circuit.
For this purpose, provision can be made, according to the invention, whereby the aforementioned support values are read out from the flash EEPROM and applied to a data transmission channel of the bus line BL via a data output READ_OUT of the operating device BG and its digital bus interface IF1, so that they are accessible to the control device StE via its digital bus interface IF2 and a data input READ_IN.
Represented in FIG. 2 b is a circuit variant of the lighting system shown schematically in FIG. 2 a, comprising a brightness feedback-control circuit LRK for automatically setting a dimming level that is predefinable via the output voltage Usetpoint of a setpoint source SWG. The controlled system of this brightness feedback-control circuit LRK is constituted in this case by the operating device BG, which is described with reference to FIG. 2 a and which is connected to the bus line BL via the digital bus interface IF1, and by a lighting device, which is controlled via the operating device BG and which again is, for example, a gas discharge lamp or, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 b, an LED module composed of an array of a plurality of light-emitting diodes LED1 to LEDN that are connected to each other in series, which module is controlled via an LED driver circuit connected to the output of the operating device BG.
For the purpose of controlling the pulse-width modulator PWM that is integrated into the operating device BG and via which the pulse duty factor d of a periodic square-wave current, generated by the operating device BG and supplied, in the form of a pulse-width-modulated control signal UPWM, to the LED driver circuit, is varied, there is required an adjustment variable UProg, which is supplied by a programming data output PROG_OUT of a digital feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE connected to the bus line BL via a digital bus interface IF2 (e.g. a DALI interface), is applied, in digitized form, to a data transmission channel of the bus line BL via the digital bus interface IF2 of the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE, and is then transmitted to the digital bus interface IF1 of the operating device BG, to the programming data input PROG_IN of the latter.
There is supplied to the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE, via a sensor data input DATA_IN, a measurement value represented by a controlled variable UReg, which is, for example, the current actual value of the illuminance E on a usable surface A illuminated by the light-emitting diodes LED1 to LEDN of the LED module or a sub-group of these light-emitting diodes, which illuminance is caused by the incident luminous flux φLM and is sensed by a light-sensitive detector of a light sensor module LSM that is likewise connected to the bus line BL via a further digital bus interface IF3 (e.g. a DALI interface). Functioning as a light sensor in this case is, for example, a phototransistor TPh, the collector current (photoelectric current) of which is proportional to the illuminance E, caused by the emitted light radiation of the LEDs, on the aforementioned usable surface A, and is thus a measure of the brightness of this radiation.
The voltage supply to the light sensor module LSM in this case, like the voltage supply to the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE and to the LED module, is effected via the intermediate circuit voltage Uv of the operating device BG, which intermediate circuit voltage serves as bus voltage UBus and is supplied to the two first-mentioned system components, in each case via a bus voltage input denoted as “DC_IN”.
As can be seen from FIG. 2 b, the output signal UReg of the light sensor module LSM, which signal is, for example, a voltage that is proportional to the photoelectric current and amplified to a defined output level by a measuring amplifier, is routed to the digital bus interface IF3 of the light sensor module LSM via a sensor data output DATA_OUT and is transmitted, in digitized form, via the bus line BL and the digital bus interface IF2 of the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE, to the sensor data input DATA_IN of the latter. The feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE then sets the above-mentioned adjustment variable UProg in dependence on the controlled variable UReg, present at the aforementioned sensor data input DATA_IN, and the reference variable Usetpoint (setpoint value) for the radiant power to be produced by the LED module in dimming mode, which radiant power is expressed by the setpoint value φLM, setpoint of the light current φLM to be emitted by the lighting device LM in dimming mode, and which reference variable is settable with the aid of the setpoint source SWG, via a trimming resistance Rv or a potentiometer, and is predefinable via a further data input of the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE. In the event of ascertainment of a control deviation between reference variable Usetpoint and controlled variable UReg, an appropriate adjustment variable UProg is generated, by which the aforementioned control deviation is at least approximately compensated.
Moreover, via the programming data output PROG_OUT of the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE, a dimming characteristic response (e.g. linear, logarithmic, exponential, etc.) that is predefinable by the user can be selected from a menu displayed via an integrated display of the control device StE. The control signal required for this purpose is applied in digitized form, via the digital bus interface IF2 of the control device StE, to a further data transmission channel of the bus line BL. Following transmission via the bus line BL, the control signal is supplied to the operating device BG via the aforementioned programming signal input PROG_IN, and routed to the LED converter. As already described with reference to FIG. 2 a, the latter calculates, in relation to the support values stored in the flash EEPROM of the operating device BG, interpolated intermediate values for the variation with time of a dimming characteristic required for dimming the LEDs, and uses the thereby obtained values to control a pulse-width modulator PWM integrated into the operating device BG, via which pulse-width modulator the pulse duty factor d of a periodic square-wave current, generated by the operating device BG and supplied, in the form of a pulse-width-modulated control signal UPWM, to the LED driver circuit, is varied. The dimming characteristic in this case runs within a value range delimited by two straight lines running in parallel to the time axis, the lower limit of which value range is constituted by the current actual value of a preset dimming level, and the upper limit of which is predefinable through the reference variable Usetpoint (or vice versa). As described with reference to FIG. 2 a, as an alternative to the aforementioned calculation, the interpolated intermediate values can also be taken from a value assignment table, for example stored in a read-only memory of the LED converter, which table assigns, as predefined by the user, previously calculated linearly, logarithmically, exponentially or otherwise interpolated intermediate values to the support points present within the value range.
As in the case of the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 2 a, according to the invention provision is also made in the case of this circuit variant whereby the support values stored in the flash EEPROM can be recalibrated via the control signal of the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE, in order to minimize or to compensate manufacturer-specific tolerances of the operating device BG, of the LED driver circuit and/or of the light-emitting diodes of the LED module that are controlled by the LED driver circuit. For this purpose, as in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 a, provision can be made whereby the aforementioned support values are read out from the flash EEPROM and applied to a data transmission channel of the bus line BL via a data output READ_OUT of the operating device BG and its digital bus interface IF1, so that they are accessible to the feedback-control and open-loop control device RSE via its digital bus interface IF2 and a data input READ_IN.
In conclusion, it is to be pointed out that the present invention is not limited to lighting systems whose system components are connected via a DALI interface to a channel of a bus line serving to supply voltage, but that, according to the invention, any other bus interface suitable for the transmission of digital control signals can be used for this purpose.
If the lighting devices used are one or more LEDs, the free programmability of the internal dimming characteristic can be used in such a way that the latter is tuned to the color-specific sensitivity of the human eye. This is particularly important if LEDs of differing color are controlled in independent channels of an operating device or by a plurality of operating devices, since the human eye perceives the differing color (for example, red, green, blue) differently.
The internal dimming characteristic can thus be programmed individually, and thus differently, for controlling LEDs (or other colored lighting means) of differing color.
For example, this can be effected by an operating device having three independent outputs, for example an RGB color mixing module for LEDs or fluorescent lamps. The assignment of the colors and the individual adaptation of the internal dimming characteristic for each color can then be first effected in the light fitting, during installation.
According to a development of the invention, an artificial maximum value for a power parameter or combination of power parameters (current, etc.) can be set, for example through an external command, for example via a bus line. This limitation can then subsequently be externally cancelled and/or changed so that, for example, the actually available maximum power can subsequently be enabled again. Alternatively, this artificial “throttling” can also be achieved through a manual setting on the control gear.
“1100% dimming level” thus corresponds to the artificially limited maximum value, and not to the actually possible “unthrottled” maximum value.
The internal dimming curve is can be adapted to the artificially limited maximum value: In order further to use internal dimming values that are distributed as finely as possible, with a maximum value limitation having been set, all internally available dimming values are distributed to the range between 0% dimming and the artificial maximum value.
A more simple embodiment can make provision to provide (program) previously in the device at least two channels for the mapping of the external dimming values to the internal dimming values, namely, for example, an apportioning between 0% and 100% and a further apportioning between 0% and the maximum value limitation.

Claims (19)

1. Operating device for a lighting device, said operating device comprising:
an interface via which external dimming values can be supplied to the operating device,
wherein the operating device converts these supplied external dimming values to quantized internal dimming values, on the basis of which controlling of a connected lighting means device is effected,
the internal dimming values being of a higher quantized resolution than the external dimming values, and
wherein the conversion of the external dimming values into the internal dimming values is programmable.
2. Operating device according to claim 1,
wherein the conversion is programmable in respect of its dynamics so that it is possible to program by which time characteristic response an internal dimming value, assigned to an external dimming value, is achieved.
3. Operating device according to claim 1, wherein
the assignment of an internal dimming value, to be controlled in the stationary state, to an external dimming value is programmable.
4. Operating device according to claim 3, wherein
the lighting device comprises at least one light-emitting diode.
5. Operating device according to claim 1,
comprising a flash memory for storing the programmable conversion of the external dimming values into internal dimming values.
6. Operating device according to claim 1,
wherein a power parameter or a combination of power parameters can be set to an artificially limited maximum value below 100%, this artificially limited maximum value being selectively switchable and/or cancellable.
7. Operating device according to claim 6,
wherein all internally available dimming values are apportioned to a range between 0% and the maximum value limitation.
8. Operating device according to claim 1,
comprising a plurality of outputs for controlling lighting devices, the internal dimming characteristics being individually programmable for each of said outputs.
9. Operating device according to claim 8, wherein the outputs control lighting devices of different colors.
10. Method for compensating tolerances of light-emitting diodes controlled by an operating device,
the operating device being supplied with external dimming values,
the method comprising programming conversion of the external dimming values into quantized internal dimming values.
11. Method for configuring an operating device for lighting devices that is supplied with external dimming values,
wherein the supplied external dimming values are converted into quantized internal dimming values, on the basis of which the connected lighting devices are controlled,
the internal dimming values being of a higher quantized resolution than the external dimming values,
the method further comprising programming conversion of the external dimming values into the internal dimming values.
12. Method according to claim 11, comprising programming
the conversion by which time characteristic response an internal dimming value, assigned to an external dimming value, is achieved.
13. Method according to claim 11, wherein
the assignment of an internal dimming value, to be controlled in the stationary state, to an external dimming value is programmable.
14. Method according to claim 11,
wherein a maximum value limitation of one or more power parameters can be set below 100%, which can be selectively switched on and/or cancelled.
15. Method according to claim 14,
wherein the internal dimming values are apportioned to the range between 0% and the maximum value limitation.
16. Method according to claim 11, wherein
the operating device comprises a plurality of outputs that are each programmed individually.
17. Method according to claim 16, wherein
internal dimming characteristics of lighting devices of different colors are programmed individually.
18. Method according to claim 17, wherein
internal dimming characteristics of lighting devices of different colors are programmed individually for the purpose of adaptation to the perception of the human eye.
19. Operating device for lighting means comprising:
an interface via which external dimming values can be supplied to an operating device, wherein the operating device converts these externally supplied dimming values into internal dimming values using a dimming characteristic, on basis of which connected lighting means are controlled, and individual internal dimming characteristics for controlling LEDs of different colors are provided.
US12/305,539 2006-06-22 2007-06-13 Dimmable operating device having internal dimming characteristic Active 2028-07-16 US8111010B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102006028670.7 2006-06-22
DE102006028670.7A DE102006028670B4 (en) 2006-06-22 2006-06-22 Dimmable control gear with internal dimming characteristic, method for compensating tolerances of operating diodes controlled by a control gear and method for configuring a control gear for bulbs
DE102006028670 2006-06-22
PCT/EP2007/005216 WO2007147512A1 (en) 2006-06-22 2007-06-13 Dimmable operating device with internal dimming calibration curve

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090167207A1 US20090167207A1 (en) 2009-07-02
US8111010B2 true US8111010B2 (en) 2012-02-07

Family

ID=37607150

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/305,539 Active 2028-07-16 US8111010B2 (en) 2006-06-22 2007-06-13 Dimmable operating device having internal dimming characteristic

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US8111010B2 (en)
EP (3) EP2030484B2 (en)
CN (2) CN101473701B (en)
DE (2) DE102006028670B4 (en)
PL (3) PL2765835T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2007147512A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8963434B2 (en) 2012-09-14 2015-02-24 Cooper Technologies Company Electrical switch device with automatic dimming control
US20220117053A1 (en) * 2019-06-19 2022-04-14 Ellenberger & Poensgen Gmbh Method of operating a dimmer, dimmer and led lighting unit
US11778715B2 (en) 2020-12-23 2023-10-03 Lmpg Inc. Apparatus and method for powerline communication control of electrical devices

Families Citing this family (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007055164B4 (en) * 2007-11-19 2019-06-27 Tridonic Gmbh & Co Kg Bulb operating device for data output, system and electronic ballast with such a control gear
FR2931616B1 (en) * 2008-05-26 2010-08-20 Ece DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING A SET OF LIGHTING DEVICES.
DE102008055862A1 (en) * 2008-11-05 2010-05-06 Tridonicatco Gmbh & Co. Kg Bulb operating device with potential separation
TWI492657B (en) * 2008-11-17 2015-07-11 Eldolab Holding Bv Method of configuring an led driver, led driver, led assembly and method of controlling an led assembly
DE102009007505B4 (en) * 2009-02-05 2017-01-19 E:Cue Control Gmbh Semiconductor device and lighting device
EP2449854A1 (en) * 2009-06-30 2012-05-09 EldoLAB Holding B.V. Method of configuring an led driver, led driver, led assembly and method of controlling an led assembly
DE102009027484A1 (en) 2009-07-06 2011-01-13 Osa Opto Light Gmbh Circuit arrangement for dimming light source, has radiation-emitting semiconductor component and pre-connection with component
US8492987B2 (en) 2009-10-07 2013-07-23 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Load control device for a light-emitting diode light source
EP2486776A2 (en) * 2009-10-07 2012-08-15 Lemnis Lighting Patent Holding B.V. Dimmable lighting system
DE202010002655U1 (en) * 2010-02-23 2011-09-02 Zumtobel Lighting Gmbh Arrangement for operating an LED light source
DE102010036444B4 (en) * 2010-07-16 2012-03-22 Vossloh-Schwabe Deutschland Gmbh Method and device for dimming a light source by means of a microcontroller
US8680787B2 (en) 2011-03-15 2014-03-25 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Load control device for a light-emitting diode light source
DE102011018582B4 (en) * 2011-04-26 2018-04-05 Audi Ag Drive device for a lighting device of a motor vehicle comprising at least one LED, motor vehicle and method for operating a drive device
JP5944672B2 (en) * 2012-01-30 2016-07-05 三菱電機株式会社 LED lighting device, lighting apparatus including the same, and lighting device
US9307613B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2016-04-05 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Load control device with an adjustable control curve
DE102013108554A1 (en) * 2013-08-08 2015-02-12 Insta Elektro Gmbh Control device for a lighting means and control method for at least one light source
DE102013109866A1 (en) * 2013-09-10 2015-03-12 EBEG Elektra Bahn Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG Device and method for controlling and fixing the brightness of a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LED) or LED modules
DE102013021868A1 (en) 2013-12-20 2015-06-25 Audi Ag Headlight for a motor vehicle and associated method
DE102014100041A1 (en) * 2014-01-03 2015-07-09 Insta Elektro Gmbh device arrangement
DE202014011162U1 (en) * 2014-01-03 2018-03-23 Insta Gmbh dimmer
SG2014003602A (en) * 2014-01-16 2015-08-28 Opulent Electronics Internat Pte Ltd Dimmer system
JP6292510B2 (en) * 2014-03-13 2018-03-14 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 Light control device and lighting system using the same
DE102014205301A1 (en) * 2014-03-21 2015-09-24 Zumtobel Lighting Gmbh Method for operating a lamp with a plurality of lamps or groups of lamps
US20150289334A1 (en) * 2014-04-04 2015-10-08 Lumenpulse Lighting Inc. System and method for powering and controlling a solid state lighting unit
DE102015002639A1 (en) * 2015-03-03 2016-09-08 Diehl Aerospace Gmbh Control of color lights with a brightness channel
JP6581069B2 (en) * 2016-11-30 2019-09-25 ミネベアミツミ株式会社 Light source drive device
JP6834551B2 (en) * 2017-02-09 2021-02-24 岩崎電気株式会社 Lighting control device and lighting control system
CN110651436B (en) * 2017-05-22 2021-02-09 华为技术有限公司 Signal transmission method and device
CN107493629A (en) * 2017-08-25 2017-12-19 赛尔富电子有限公司 A kind of the maximum dimmer parameter acquisition system and method for the light fixture group unknown for rated current
CN111511077B (en) * 2019-01-31 2022-07-08 松下知识产权经营株式会社 Dimming curve generation method, dimming curve generation device and LED lighting device
DE102019132461A1 (en) * 2019-11-29 2021-06-02 Tridonic Gmbh & Co Kg Increasing the service life of control gear
EP3879940A1 (en) * 2020-03-08 2021-09-15 RP-Technik GmbH Emergency lighting system consisting of self-sufficient modules and operation of an emergency lighting system with self-sufficient modules
DE102021122749A1 (en) 2021-09-02 2023-03-02 Schneider Electric Industries Sas METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DIMMING A LAMP

Citations (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0807877A1 (en) 1996-05-13 1997-11-19 ZUMTOBEL LICHT GmbH System and control device for controlling the brightness of a space
US6181086B1 (en) 1998-04-27 2001-01-30 Jrs Technology Inc. Electronic ballast with embedded network micro-controller
EP1135005A2 (en) 2000-03-10 2001-09-19 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Device for controlling light sources with ballast
DE10112114A1 (en) 2001-03-14 2002-10-02 Vossloh Schwabe Elektronik Control device for use with gas discharge lamp with variable brightness has choke to receive and create digital guiding signal for determining specific lamp brightness and intermediate signal for emitting resolution signal.
WO2002079890A1 (en) 2001-03-28 2002-10-10 International Rectifier Corporation Digital dimming fluorescent ballast
US6573666B1 (en) 2002-01-03 2003-06-03 Dialog Semiconductor Gmbh Digital regulation of fluorescent lamps
DE20312298U1 (en) 2003-08-05 2003-11-06 Bag Electronics Gmbh Electronic starter circuit for gas discharge lighting tubes has facility to change parameter operating data using link from external unit to flash memory
EP1422975A1 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-26 Color Kinetics Incorporated Light-emitting diode based products
DE202004006292U1 (en) 2004-04-21 2004-07-22 Knobel Ag Lichttechnische Komponenten Connection between drive stage and LED array has an identification channel for information needed for different types of LED
US20050179404A1 (en) 2004-02-13 2005-08-18 Dragan Veskovic Multiple-input electronic ballast with processor
DE102004061294A1 (en) 2004-12-20 2006-06-22 Tridonicatco Gmbh & Co. Kg Method for programming a control gear for lamps
DE102005008996A1 (en) 2005-01-21 2006-07-27 Tridonicatco Gmbh & Co. Kg Dimming of lamp operating devices to predefined levels
US7902769B2 (en) * 2006-01-20 2011-03-08 Exclara, Inc. Current regulator for modulating brightness levels of solid state lighting
US7906917B2 (en) * 2004-10-27 2011-03-15 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Startup flicker suppression in a dimmable LED power supply
US7906915B2 (en) * 2008-04-19 2011-03-15 Aerospace Optics, Inc. Enhanced trim resolution voltage-controlled dimming LED driving circuit

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5430356A (en) 1993-10-05 1995-07-04 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. Programmable lighting control system with normalized dimming for different light sources
DE29618435U1 (en) 1996-10-22 1998-02-19 Zumtobel Licht Ges.M.B.H., Dornbirn Operating device for controlling at least one consumer
US7014336B1 (en) † 1999-11-18 2006-03-21 Color Kinetics Incorporated Systems and methods for generating and modulating illumination conditions
US7064498B2 (en) * 1997-08-26 2006-06-20 Color Kinetics Incorporated Light-emitting diode based products
CA2336497A1 (en) † 2000-12-20 2002-06-20 Daniel Chevalier Lighting device
CN100474205C (en) * 2001-03-28 2009-04-01 国际整流器公司 Digital dimming fluorescent ballast
DE10119473C1 (en) 2001-04-20 2003-03-13 Insta Elektro Gmbh On-off switching and dimming device for room lighting devices uses single dimmer for controlling several different lighting devices
US7358929B2 (en) † 2001-09-17 2008-04-15 Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc. Tile lighting methods and systems
DE20220356U1 (en) † 2002-06-20 2003-06-05 Insta Elektro Gmbh Lighting unit comprising light emitting diodes, includes microprocessor and circuitry determining intensity from characteristic curve
US7148632B2 (en) † 2003-01-15 2006-12-12 Luminator Holding, L.P. LED lighting system
DE10323689A1 (en) * 2003-05-22 2004-12-09 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Controllable lighting system with a second communication protocol and devices therefor
DE102004018371A1 (en) * 2004-04-13 2005-11-03 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Electronic ballast with digital control of dimming operations
DE102004018804A1 (en) 2004-04-15 2005-11-10 Erco Leuchten Gmbh Device for controlling a plurality of luminaires
DE102004018912A1 (en) 2004-04-15 2005-11-03 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Device for light control
EP1757171A1 (en) * 2004-04-19 2007-02-28 Tir Systems Ltd. Parallel pulse code modulation system and method
DE102004044001A1 (en) * 2004-09-09 2006-04-13 Lehmann, Erhard, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Method for controlling the power supply from a power source to a power consumer
DE102004050655A1 (en) * 2004-10-18 2006-06-01 Volkswagen Ag A vehicle lighting device and method for controlling a vehicle lighting device
DE102010036444B4 (en) * 2010-07-16 2012-03-22 Vossloh-Schwabe Deutschland Gmbh Method and device for dimming a light source by means of a microcontroller

Patent Citations (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6118231A (en) 1996-05-13 2000-09-12 Zumtobel Staff Gmbh Control system and device for controlling the luminosity in a room
EP0807877A1 (en) 1996-05-13 1997-11-19 ZUMTOBEL LICHT GmbH System and control device for controlling the brightness of a space
US6181086B1 (en) 1998-04-27 2001-01-30 Jrs Technology Inc. Electronic ballast with embedded network micro-controller
EP1135005A2 (en) 2000-03-10 2001-09-19 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glühlampen mbH Device for controlling light sources with ballast
US6486617B2 (en) 2000-03-10 2002-11-26 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fuer Elektrische Gluehlampen Mbh Device for controlling light sources having a ballast
EP1422975A1 (en) 2000-04-24 2004-05-26 Color Kinetics Incorporated Light-emitting diode based products
DE10112114A1 (en) 2001-03-14 2002-10-02 Vossloh Schwabe Elektronik Control device for use with gas discharge lamp with variable brightness has choke to receive and create digital guiding signal for determining specific lamp brightness and intermediate signal for emitting resolution signal.
WO2002079890A1 (en) 2001-03-28 2002-10-10 International Rectifier Corporation Digital dimming fluorescent ballast
US6573666B1 (en) 2002-01-03 2003-06-03 Dialog Semiconductor Gmbh Digital regulation of fluorescent lamps
DE20312298U1 (en) 2003-08-05 2003-11-06 Bag Electronics Gmbh Electronic starter circuit for gas discharge lighting tubes has facility to change parameter operating data using link from external unit to flash memory
US20050179404A1 (en) 2004-02-13 2005-08-18 Dragan Veskovic Multiple-input electronic ballast with processor
DE202004006292U1 (en) 2004-04-21 2004-07-22 Knobel Ag Lichttechnische Komponenten Connection between drive stage and LED array has an identification channel for information needed for different types of LED
US7906917B2 (en) * 2004-10-27 2011-03-15 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Startup flicker suppression in a dimmable LED power supply
DE102004061294A1 (en) 2004-12-20 2006-06-22 Tridonicatco Gmbh & Co. Kg Method for programming a control gear for lamps
US20070268151A1 (en) 2004-12-20 2007-11-22 Reinhold Juen Method for programming an operating device for lighting means
DE102005008996A1 (en) 2005-01-21 2006-07-27 Tridonicatco Gmbh & Co. Kg Dimming of lamp operating devices to predefined levels
US20070268152A1 (en) 2005-01-21 2007-11-22 Reinhold Juen Method and device for dimming lighting control devices to a predefined level
US7902769B2 (en) * 2006-01-20 2011-03-08 Exclara, Inc. Current regulator for modulating brightness levels of solid state lighting
US7906915B2 (en) * 2008-04-19 2011-03-15 Aerospace Optics, Inc. Enhanced trim resolution voltage-controlled dimming LED driving circuit

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Contenti C., "Digitally Addressable DALI Dimming Ballast," Inst. of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2:936-942 (2002).
International Search Report for PCT/EP2004/005216 dated Sep. 17, 2007.

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8963434B2 (en) 2012-09-14 2015-02-24 Cooper Technologies Company Electrical switch device with automatic dimming control
US20220117053A1 (en) * 2019-06-19 2022-04-14 Ellenberger & Poensgen Gmbh Method of operating a dimmer, dimmer and led lighting unit
US11778715B2 (en) 2020-12-23 2023-10-03 Lmpg Inc. Apparatus and method for powerline communication control of electrical devices

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL2346305T3 (en) 2019-03-29
EP2030484B2 (en) 2022-06-22
CN101473701B (en) 2013-09-18
EP2765835A1 (en) 2014-08-13
EP2765835B1 (en) 2017-09-13
EP2346305A3 (en) 2012-06-06
WO2007147512A1 (en) 2007-12-27
CN103561505A (en) 2014-02-05
DE102006028670B4 (en) 2018-10-25
DE202007019402U1 (en) 2012-04-19
EP2346305A2 (en) 2011-07-20
PL2765835T3 (en) 2018-06-29
US20090167207A1 (en) 2009-07-02
CN103561505B (en) 2016-06-22
PL2030484T3 (en) 2016-06-30
EP2030484A1 (en) 2009-03-04
EP2030484B1 (en) 2016-03-02
PL2030484T5 (en) 2023-02-20
CN101473701A (en) 2009-07-01
EP2346305B1 (en) 2018-09-26
DE102006028670A1 (en) 2007-12-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8111010B2 (en) Dimmable operating device having internal dimming characteristic
US11622427B2 (en) Multi-channel lighting fixture having multiple light-emitting diode drivers
US11930570B2 (en) Illumination device for adjusting color temperature based on brightness and time of day
US9456482B1 (en) Daylighting for different groups of lighting fixtures
US9374015B2 (en) Lighting driver having multiple dimming interfaces
KR20100116615A (en) A light source
CN111418267B (en) Arrangement of load adjusting device for lighting control
JP5775996B2 (en) Lighting apparatus, lighting control method, and lighting control program
US20230319960A1 (en) System and methods for generating customized color temperature dimming curves for lighting devices
JP2007173120A (en) Lighting system and lighting fixture provided with the same
US20240179814A1 (en) Illumination Device for Adjusting Color Temperature Based on Brightness and Time of Day
US20170215251A1 (en) Modeling illumination device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: TRIDONICATCO GMBH & CO. KG, AUSTRIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ZIMMERMANN, MICHAEL;HARTMANN, MARTIN;ANDREAS, JOHN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:022274/0220

Effective date: 20090112

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 8

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 12TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1553); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 12